Post by Androga Erindalant on May 5, 2008 14:10:53 GMT -6
Ch 16: Of Maeglin
Aredhel, daughter of Fingolfin, lived with her brother Turgon in Gondolin. She grew tired of the guarded city however, and longed to ride free through the land. Turgon gave her permission, but only if she went to Hithlum. Instead Aredhel turned eastwards to visit the sons of Fëanor. Because Doriath was sealed from the Noldor, Aredhel had to take the dangerous path through Ered Gorgoroth. She was seperated from her companions there, who thought she was lost. Yet Aredhel survived and arrived in Himlad. Celegorm and Curufin, the lords of this realm, weren't at home at that time, yet the Elven princess was welcome to stay. She got restless again however, and ventured into the woods of Nan Elmoth.
Eöl lived in these dark woods. He desired Aredhel when he saw her, and he enchanted her to take her as his wife. Together they had a son, Maeglin, who looked like the Noldor but had a mind like his father. Eöl forbade Aredhel to go out of the forest. Yet after a while, she longed for her Noldorin kin, and told stories of them to her son. Eöl however hated the Noldorin, who he blaimed the return of Morgoth. They had to depart in secrecy. Yet Eöl discovered their departure soon, and he followed them until the hidden gates of Gondolin.
Within the city of Gondolin, King Turgon was happy to see his sister alive. He welcomed her and her son. Eöl was caught too, and he too was welcomed at first. Eöl refused to stay however, even when he was ordered to since he had discovered the entrance. Instead Eöl chose death, and he wanted to take his son along with him. Though in his attempt to slay Maeglin, Eöl killed Aredhel. As sentence for this murder, Eöl was cast down a high cliff.
Maeglin was welcomed as a prince. He grew in skill, as he learned much from the peoples of Gondolin. There was one darkness within Maeglin however. He desired Idril, daughter of Turgon. Yet Elves related so closely to each other did not marry. Also, Idril did not love Maeglin. She suspected Maeglin's feelings, whose heart even darkened as time passed.